The Palestinian Authority, which controls the West Bank but not the Gaza strip, called the killings a “massacre” and demanded an emergency meeting of the UN Security council

“If a similar massacre (by an occupying power) happens in any other nation, it would trigger a massive global outrage. Palestine should not be an exception” said Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian ambassador to the UN.

Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have also urged a UN emergency meeting.

Zeid Ra’ad al Hussein, the UN high commissioner for human rights, called the violence in Gaza “shocking” and demanded that Israel halt the use of live rounds.

“Shocking killing of dozens, injury of hundreds by Israeli live fire in #Gaza must stop now. The right to life must be respected. Those responsible for outrageous human rights violations must be held to account. The int’l community needs to ensure justice for victims,” he said in a Tweet put out by his office.

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini urged “utmost restraint”, saying “dozens of Palestinians, including children, have been killed and hundreds injured from Israeli fire today, during ongoing mass protests near the Gaza fence. We expect all to act with utmost restraint to avoid further loss of life”